Traveling pneumatic cleaner and method

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing lint and the like from an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame wherein a housing is traveled back and forth above and along the machine while a flow of air through the housing and a tube depending therefrom is induced. Travel of the housing and tube is such that the tube passes along aisle space to one side of the machine and, when the housing approaches an end portion of the machine, is rotated about a substantially vertical axis overlying the machine and passes around the end of the machine to a position in aisle space to the opposite side thereof. Continuing movement of the housing and tube back and forth above and along the machine subjects both sides of the machine to pneumatic cleaning.

[ Aug. 28, 1973 1 1 TRAVELING PNEUMATIC CLEANER AND METHOD [75] Inventor: Charles D. Lee, Jr., Charlotte, NC.

[73] Assignee: Parks-Cramer Company, Fitchburg,

Mass.

[22] Filed: May 7, 1971 [211 App]. No.: 141,338

Primary Examiner-Morris O. Wolk Assistant Examiner-D. G. Millman Attorney-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for removing lint and the like from an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame wherein a housing is traveled back and forth above and along the machine while a flow of air through the housing and a tube depending therefrom is induced. Travel of the housing and tube is such that the tube passes along aisle space to one side of the machine and, when the housing approaches an end portion of the machine, is rotated about a substantially vertical axis overlying the machine and passes around the end of the machine to a position in aisle space to the opposite side thereof. Continuing movement of the housing and tube back and forth above and along the machine subjects both sides of the machine to pneumatic cleanmg.

21 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,992

8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,992

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 I? QYIW WW8 i JTY @Yp @WWW SP M Q Lvl. H p U ELF J ow MMJ p U \j I m T? ICI/I iv m r a a W .1 i: 1 1: Q. E Q J j m U LI 8 AW NJAWQA Patented Aug. 28, 1973 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Aug. 28, 1973 3,754,992

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 SOUQCE- A1 A! 5% t? u 1 TRAVELING PNEUMATIC CLEANER AND METHOD Cleaning of elongate textile machines such as spinning frames through the use of traveling pneumatic cleaners which direct flowing currents of air to remove lint and the like has been recognized as an important textile practice and the use of traveling pneumatic cleaners is now commonplace in the textile industry. While such cleaning methods and apparatus have contributed to improved efficiency of operation for textile machines such as spinning frames, recent efforts at further improvement in operating efficency have created certain difficulties in the application of traveling pneumatic cleaners and such cleaning methods.

One line of development which has been actively pursued relates to the treatment of an individual spinning frame or the like as a production unit, to be contrasted with treatment of a plurality of spinning frames as a production group. In connection with this line of development, mechanism has been developed for automatically doffing wound packages of yarn from an individual spinning frame; the length of an individual spinning frame has been extended to be substantially greater than has heretofore been conventional; and the travel of pneumatic cleaners has been restricted to an individual spinning frame. As will be understood, each of these approaches contributes to the desired result of having a single spinning frame operated individually and independently of any other spinning frame.

Various approaches to accomodation of such development have been attempted heretofore, including construction of traveling pneumatic cleaners intended to travel along a single frame while cleaning both sides of the frame simultaneously and of traveling pneumatic cleaners intended to travel along tracks encircling the frame. In such attempts, the economics of cleaning cost allocation over the spindles served has necessitated design compromises which reduce cleaning efficiency in order to allow the structure required for double side cleaning or frame encircling tracks. Thus, such conventional single frame cleaners have not been comparable to high velocity cleaners normally intended to clean a plurality of frames.

It is an object of the present invention to accomplish efficient pneumatic cleaning of an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame in a manner compatible with such recent trends as travel of a cleaner along a single spinning frame, elongation of a spinning frame and automatic doffing of wound packages therefrom. In realizing this object of the present invention, a method and apparatus are employed which are economically and readily adapted to serving elongate textile machines such as spinning frames incorporating such efficiency improvement related developments.

A further object of the present invention is the removal of lint and the like from a spinning frame by a process wherein a traveling cleaner is supported above at least one elongate textile machine while flowing currents of air for pneumatic cleaning are passed first along one side of the machine and then along the other. In accordance with this method, a tube depending from a housing is traveled along an elongate textile machine in an aisle space to one side of the machine while flow of air through the tube for pneumatic cleaning is induced. As the tube approaches an end portion of the machine, the tube is moved through an arcuate path around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the opposite side thereof. The tube is then traveled along the machine in the opposite direction while further pneumatic cleaning is accomplished by a flow of air therethrough. By such process, support of the cleaner is simplified and high efiiciency may be economically maintained.

Yet another object of the present invention is to accomplish blowing and suction pneumatic cleaning successively on two sides of an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame through traversal of a traveling pneumatic cleaner along a track extending over the machine. In accomplishing this object of the present invention, a carriage frame means is mounted for movement back and forth along a track extending over the elongate textile machine and between positions overlying the end positions of the traversed textile machine. Flexible blowing and suction tubes depend from the housing to a position in aisle space to one side of the traversed textile machine, and are mounted for rotation with the housing about a vertical axis overlying the machine and extending in general alignment with the track. Movement of the tubes and housing about the vertical axis is in response to the sensed presence of the cleaner at a location overlying an end portion of the traversed textile machine.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a traveling cleaner apparatus in accordance with the present invention, shown operating over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation, partially in section, illustrating the traveling pneumatic cleaner apparatus and textile machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a section, from above, through a portion of the traveling pneumatic cleaner apparatus of FIGS. 1-3, taken generally as indicated by the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is enlarged elevation, partially in section, showing elements of the traveling pneumatic cleaner apparatus of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, taken generally along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram illustrating the operative interconnection of control means and electrical motor elements incorporated in the traveling pneumatic cleaner of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating a modified form of the traveling pneumatic cleaner apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view, partially in section, of the apparatus of FIG. 8, taken generally along the line 9-9 in that Figure;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, taken generally along the line 10-- 10 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 1 1 is a plan view, in section, through the apparatus of FIGS. 8-9, taken generally along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 8-11 illustrating a control arrangement therefor; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating another modified form of traveling cleaner apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings, a traveling pneumatic cleaner generally indicated by the reference character 10 moves along a track 11 extending over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame 12 for removing lint and the like from the frame 12 and the area ambient to the frame. The traveling pneumatic cleaner 10 comprises air flow directing means 20 mounted on the track 11 for movement back and forth therealong and including a carriage frame 21 (FIGS. and 6) including a plurality of guide and traction rollers 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 which engage the track 1 1. Tractor drive means including a drive motor 34 is operatively connected with at least certain of the track engaging rollers for driving the air flow directing means 20 in movement along the track 1 1 between locations overlying the end portions of the spinning frame 12 (illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1). While a single frame cleaning arrangement is disclosed hereinafter, it is contemplated that the cleaner may traverse more than one frame if desired, moving between opposite end portions of a track 11 overlying such frames. The air fiow directing means further includes a housing 35 mounted from the carriage frame 21 for movement therewith along the track 11 and tube means including a suction tube 36 and a blowing tube 38 depending from the housing 35.

The housing 35 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) includes a plurality of sections defining a blowing air scroll portion 40, a suction air scroll portion 41 and a waste receptacle portion 42. As indicated schematically in FIG. 5, air flows away from the housing 35 through the blowing scroll 40 and flows toward the housing 35 through the suction scroll 41.

Enclosed within the housing 35 is an air flow inducing means including an air impeller 44 and an impeller drive motor 45. By means of the impeller drive motor 45, the impeller 44 is driven in rotation about a substantially vertical axis to induce currents of air to flow through the housing 35 in a manner described hereinabove.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the blowing scroll portion 40 of the housing 35 and the suction scroll portion 41 thereof extend to one side of the traveling cleaner 10 and operatively communicate with respective ones of the suction and blowing tubes 36, 38. Thus, currents of air for pneumatic cleaning are caused to flow through the housing 35 and the tubes 36, 38.

In accordance with the present invention, the housing 35 and the tubes 36, 38 are supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis overlying the spinning frame 12. In particular, a plurality of mounting rollers 48 (FIGS. 4 and 6) are mounted on the carriage frame means 21, and engage a mounting ring 49 at the lower extremity of the housing 35. The mounting ring 49 is secured to the housing adjacent an upper extremity of a fixed upstandinginlet air filter 50, through which air passes in flowing to the impeller 44 and through the blowing scroll portion 40 of the housing 35. By means of the rollers 48 engaging the supporting ring 49, the housing 35 is mounted from the carriage frame means 21 for rotation about an axis substantially corresponding to the axis of rotation of the impeller 44.

Rotation of the housing 35 about the substantially vertical axis rotates the tubes 36, 38 about the axis and swings the tubes around the end of the spinning frame, from a position in aisle space to one side of the machine to a position in aisle space to the opposite side of the machine. Such movement is as illustrated in FIG. 3, and includes passage of the tubes 36, 38 as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 1.

The housing 35 is driven in rotation about the substantially vertical axis through the operation of control means including rotation driving means in the form of an electrical motor 51 (FIGS. 6 and 7). The rotation driving motor 51 is mounted from the carriage frame means 21 and, through the provision of a drive belt 52 encircling the housing 35, drives the housing in rotation about the vertical axis so as to swing the tube means 36, 38 relative to a traversed spinning frame 12. The drive belt 52 is engaged by a drive pulley 54, mounted on a driven shaft of the motor 51, and engages a similar pulley-like groove 55 extending around the housing 35.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control means comprises means for sensing the presence of the air fiow directing means at predetermined positions overlying the end portions of the traversed textile machine 12, with the sensing means being operatively connected with various drive motors as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter. Preferably, the sensing means takes the form of a two-position electrical limit switch, shown as a forktype maintained switch 56. The maintained limit switch 56 continues in a particular condition once the switch has been moved to that condition. Operating in conjunction with the switch 56 are a plurality of control relays including windings 61, 62, 63, 64 and associated contact sets. Further, there are provided latching solenoids 65, 66 and position detecting switches 68, 69. These elements of the control means are operatively interconnected with the tractor drive motor 34 and with the fan drive motor 45 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, to coordinate operation of the apparatus as will be described hereinafter. The maintained limit switch 56 is mounted on the carriage frame means 21 of the traveling pneumatic cleaner !0 so as to engage and be operated by abutments 70, 71 mounted from the track 11 adjacent the opposite ends thereof.

Upon movement of the air flow directing means (to the left in FIG. 1) to a predetermined position overlying an end portion of the frame 12, the maintained limit switch 56 engages a corresponding abutment and is displaced from a previously occupied position to a reverse position. With such a change in position (as from the forward to the reverse position), electrical current flowing from line sources in the track (identified as L1, L2, and L3 in FIG. 7) is applied through one contact set of the maintained limit switch 56 while being removed from the other contact thereof. Thus, a first control relay 61 for the tractor drive motor 34 is deenergized and driving of the cleaner 10 along the track 11 is interrupted. On first being applied through one contact set of the maintained limit switch, electrical current flows through the corresponding one of the position sensing switches (switch 68) to energize a corresponding solenoid (66) and relay winding (63). Upon energization of the solenoid (66), the corresponding one (76) of two locking pins 75, 76 is withdrawn from penetration of a locking opening 77 in the mounting ring 49 of the housing means 35 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5 thereby freeing the housing means for rotation. Simultaneously, energization of the relay winding 63 applies electrical current to the rotational drive motor 51, initiating rotation of the housing means 35 about the substantially vertical axis, and opens a normally closed contact set to preclude early energization of a second control relay 62 for the tractor drive motor 34. Accordingly, the carriage frame means 21 maintains the predetermined position overlying the end portion of the spinning frame 12 during operation of the rotational drive motor 51. Operation of the fan motor 45 is continued uninterrupted. Upon completion of rotation of the mounting ring 49 to a reversed position, the locking opening therein becomes aligned over the spring loaded pin 75 of the second solenoid 65, so that the pin moves upwardly into the opening and locks the housing means 35 in the alternate position. Simultaneously, the pin in its upward movement engages and opens the position sensing switch 68 through which electrical current has been conducted, de-energizing the relay winding 63. Such de-energization of the relay winding permits closure of the associated normally closed contacts, resulting in energization of the second direction controlling relay 62 which completes a circuit energizing the tractor drive motor 34 and initiates movement of traveling pneumatic cleaner in the opposite direction along the track 11. Upon the traveling pneumatic cleaner 10 reaching a position overlying the opposite end portion of the frame 12, the cycle of operation is essentially repeated, in swinging the tube means 36, 38 around the opposite end of the machine.

While disclosed above with particular reference to an arrangement wherein solenoids 65, 66 control the operation of pins 75, 76 and the rotational drive motor 51 is mounted adjacent the exterior of the housing 35, the present invention contemplates an alternative embodiment in which mechanically actuated locking pins function to control operation of switches governing energization of the various drive motors and the rotational drive motor acts within the housing 35. Such an alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 8-12, wherein primed reference characters are used for identifying components disclosed more fully hereinabove with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. In the alternative embodiment, the rotational drive motor 51' includes a drive roller 54 held against an interior surface of the housing 35 by a suitable tension spring 70. By means of lever members 80, 81 included on skirt portions of the frame means 21 and pins 75', 76, the housing 35 is locked and unlocked for rotation and suitable electrical control means are actuated.

More particularly, each of the lever arms 80, 81 is mounted for pivotal movement about a corresponding horizontal pivot axis, and includes an appropriate cam follower rollers 84, 85 adjacent the depending lower arm thereof. Positioned adjacent opposite ends of the track are actuating cams 86, 87 which are engaged by the rollers on the lever member 80, 81 and cause pivotal motion thereof.

Each of the levers 80, 81 has associated therewith a corresponding electrical switch means, generally indicated as the switch means 90, 91. One electrical switch means 90 is a two pole, double throw switch, while the other electrical switch means 91 is a four pole, double throw switch. In each instance, the switch means is mechanically coupled with the corresponding lever arm for movement between first and second positions on pivotal movement of the lever in extension and retraction of the pin. Each lever member is biased by appropriate spring means toward a position in which the locking pin 75', 76' mechanically coupled thereto is biased upwardly for extending through locking opening 77 when such opening is aligned therewith. Cooperation of the cam means and the lever members is such that engagement of the cam following rollers with the cams draws the locking pins downwardly so as to be withdrawn from the locking opening 77'.

As discussed immediately above, the operation of the traveling pneumatic cleaner of the present invention is particularly adapted for application to cleaning of an extra length spinning frame by successive passes of the flowing currents of air generated by the traveling pneumatic cleaner down first one side of the elongate spinning frame and then the other, with the tube means passing in succession around the opposite ends of the machine. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus and method of the present invention are applicable to circumstances wherein the traveling pneumatic cleaner 10 is reversed on approaching one end of a spinning frame without rotating the housing 35. In such an application, cleaning of the spinning frame proceeds with the tubes being swung around only the end of the spinning frame remote from the one end, and with successive passes back and forth on each side being made.

Such an application is illustrated in FIG. 13, wherein double primed reference characters are used for identifying components disclosd hereinabove with reference to the embodimemts of FIGS. l-l2. In the second mod ified embodiment, the actuating cams 86", 87 which are engaged by the rollers on the lever members 81" are mounted on a rocking member 95 and are moved between alternate positions in response to the delivery of pressure fluid to an actuating cylinder 96. Admission of pressure fluid to the cylinder 96 is controlled by a solenoid operated valve 97, electrically connected with switches 98A and 988 which are positioned adjacent one end of the track 11 on which the cleaner 10 is mounted. On each approach of the traveling pneumatic cleaner toward the one end of the track, whichever of the rollers 84", 85" which is lowermost engages a corresponding one of the switches 98A, 98B to close the switch and shift the spool of the solenoid operated valve 97. As will now be disclosed, this operation is coordinated with operation of a latching relay 99 which reverses the direction of movement of the traveling pneumatic cleaner.

The latching relay 99 is a type generally known to persons skilled in the design and assembly of electrical control systems and has a winding 100, an armature 101 movable in response to energization of the winding, and a mechanical latch interconnecting the armature and a movable contact member 102. On successive energizations of the winding 100, the mechanical latch moves the contact member 102 between alternate positions. That is, on a first energization of the winding, the contact is moved to a first circuit completing position and is maintained in that position after energization of the winding is interrupted or discontinued. On the next subsequent energization of the winding, the contact member is moved to an alternate circuit completing position.

As interconnected in FIG. 13, the latching relay 99 controls the interconnection of electrical leads to the tractor drive motor 34" and the housing rotational drive motor 51" in response to a control switch 105 closed by engagement with a cam 106 each time the cleaner l0" approaches the one end of its track. The electrical control circuitry schematically represented in FIG. 13 thus cooperates in moving the blowing and suction tubes 36" and 38" of the traveling pneumatic cleaner around only one end of an associated spinning frame, namely the end at which the actuating cams 86" and 87" are located. At the opposite end of the spinning frame being cleaned, direction of movement of the traveling cleaning apparatus 10" is reversed, without rotation of the tubes 36" and 38" around the end of the frame.

In the drawings and specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is: 1. A method of removing lint and the like from an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of traveling a housing in one direction above and along the machine with at least one tube depending from the housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine while inducing a flow of air through the housing and at least one tube for pneumatic cleaning, rotating the at least one tube about a substantially vertical axis which is in the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the machine when the housing approaches an end portion of the machine and swinging the at least one tube around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the opposite side of the machine, and then traveling the housing and at least one tube in the opposite direction along the machine while inducing a flow of air through the housing and at least one tube for further pneumatic cleaning.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the inducing of air flow through the housing and at least one tube continues uninterrupted during the rotating and swinging of the at least one tube.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the inducing of air flow comprises impelling blowing air currents through one tube for blowing pneumatic cleaning while drawing suction air currents through another tube for suction pneumatic cleaning.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the traveling of the housing and at least one tube while inducing a flow of air therethrough comprise mounting the housing on a track extending over the machine and driving the housing back and forth along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the driving of the housing along the track is interrupted during the rotating and swinging of the at least one tube.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the rotating of the at least one tube comprises mounting the at least one tube from the housing and driving the housing in rotation about the vertical axis.

7. A method according to claim 2 further comprising sensing the presence of the housing at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine and further wherein the driving of the housing in rotation proceeds in response to the sensed presence of the housing at the one end portion overlying position.

8. A method of removing lint and the like from an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of inducing fiow through a housing supported above the textile machine of air currents for blowing and suction cleaning, directing the induced air currents to flow through blowing and suction tubes depending from the housing to a position in aisle space to one side of the textile machine while traveling the housing and tubes in a first direction along a track overlying the textile machine, sensing the presence of the housing at a location overlying an end portion of the textile machine and in response to such sensed presence rotating the housing relative to the textile machine about a vertical axis while swinging the tubes around the end of the textile machine to a position in aisle space to the other side of the textile machine, and then traveling the housing and tubes back along the track in a direction opposite to said first direction while directing the induced air currents to flow through the tubes.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the sensing and rotating proceed upon the housing moving to either of the two locations overlying the two end portions of the textile machine whereby the tubes swing successively around first one end and then the other end of the textile machine.

10. A method according to claim 8 wherein the sensing and rotating proceed upon the housing moving to one location overlying a predetermined end portion of the textile machine whereby the tubes swing around only the one predetermined end of the textile machine and in alternating directions on alternating passes back and forth along the textile machine.

11. A traveling pneumatic cleaner for moving along a track extending over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and for removing lint and the like therefrom, the cleaner comprising air flow directing means mounted on the track for movement back and forth therealong and including a housing and tube means depending from said housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, said tube means being supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis overlying the machine,

means operatively connected to said air flow directing means for inducing a flow of air through said housing and said tube means for pneumatic cleaning, and

control means operatively connected to said air flow directing means for rotating said tube means about said axis when said housing approaches an end portion of the machine from one direction and for swinging said tube means around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the opposite side of the machine and for initiating movement of said air flow directing means in the opposite direction.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said housing is mounted for rotation relative to the track about said vertical axis and further wherein said control means comprises rotation driving means operatively connected to said housing for driving said housing in rotation about said vertical axis and thereby rotating and swinging said tube means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said control means further comprises means for sensing the presence of said air flow directing means at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine, said sensing means being operatively connected with said rotation driving means for actuating said rotation driving means in response to the sensed presence of said air flow directing means at said at least one predetermined position.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said tube means comprises a pair of tubes depending from said housing in spaced apart relation and further wherein said air flow inducing means cooperates with said air flow directing means for impelling blowing air currents through one of said tubes for blowing pneumatic cleaning and for drawing suction air currents through the other of said tubes for suction pneumatic cleaning.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said air flow directing means further includes waste receptacle means operatively communicating with said other tube for receiving lint and the like drawn therethrough, said receptacle means being supported for counterbalancing said tube means and for locating the center of gravity of the traveling pneumatic cleaner in general vertical alignment with the track.

16. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said air flow directing meansfurther includes reversible tractor drive means for driving said air flow directing means in movement along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine, said housing and said tube means being mounted from said tractor drive means for movement therewith.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said tractor drive means is operatively connected with said control means for interruption of driving of said air flow directing means during the rotating and swinging of said tube means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said tractor drive means is operatively connected with said control means for temporary deactivation of said tractor drive means while said air directing means is positioned at one of said end portion overlying locations, said control means reactivating said tractor drive means after swinging of said tube means from one aisle position to the other aisle position.

19. A traveling pneumatic cleaner for traveling along a track extending over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and for cleaning the traversed textile machine with blowing and suction cleaning, the cleaner comprising:

carriage frame means for movement back and forth along the track between positions overlying the end portions of the traversed textile machine,

blowing and suction housing means mounted on said carriage frame means for rotation relative thereto about a vertical axis,

rotary air impeller means mounted in said housing means for inducing flow of air currents therethrough for blowing and suction cleaning, flexible blowing and suction tube means depending from said housing means and operatively communicating therewith for flow of blowing and suction air currents through said tube means, said tube means extending downwardly from said housing means at a location spaced from said vertical axis of rotation of said housing means at a distance such that said tube means is positioned in aisle space to one side of the traversed textile machine, and

means for sensing the presence of the cleaner at one of said locations overlying an end portion of the traversed textile machine, for rotating said housing means about said vertical axis while the cleaner is in said one position and thereby swinging said tube means around the end of the traversed textile machine to position said tube means in aisle space to the other side of the traversed textile machine, and for initiating movement of the cleaner back along the track toward the other of said end portion overlying locations.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said last named means comprises actuating cam means at one predetermined location overlying one end portion of the traversed textile machine and cam actuated means for cooperating with said cam means for swinging said tube means around only said one end portion of the traversed textile machine and in alternating directions on alternating passes back and forth along the textile machine.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said last named means comprises actuating cam means at two predetermined locations overlying the opposite end portions of the traversed textile machine and cam actuated means for cooperating with said cam means for swinging said tube means successively around first one end of the traversed textile machine and then the other.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION August 28, 1973 Patent No. 3, 754, 992 Dated Inventor(s) Charles D. Lee, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: I

Column 4, line 37, change "1 O to -10 IN THE CLAIMS:

Column 7, line 58,,change ''Claim 2'' to Claim 6 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER, JR. Attesting Officer RENE D. TEGTME'YER Acting Commissioner of Patents 

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the inducing of air flow through the housing and at least one tube continues uninterrupted during the rotating and swinGing of the at least one tube.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the inducing of air flow comprises impelling blowing air currents through one tube for blowing pneumatic cleaning while drawing suction air currents through another tube for suction pneumatic cleaning.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the traveling of the housing and at least one tube while inducing a flow of air therethrough comprise mounting the housing on a track extending over the machine and driving the housing back and forth along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the driving of the housing along the track is interrupted during the rotating and swinging of the at least one tube.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the rotating of the at least one tube comprises mounting the at least one tube from the housing and driving the housing in rotation about the vertical axis.
 7. A method according to claim 2 further comprising sensing the presence of the housing at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine and further wherein the driving of the housing in rotation proceeds in response to the sensed presence of the housing at the one end portion overlying position.
 8. A method of removing lint and the like from an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of inducing flow through a housing supported above the textile machine of air currents for blowing and suction cleaning, directing the induced air currents to flow through blowing and suction tubes depending from the housing to a position in aisle space to one side of the textile machine while traveling the housing and tubes in a first direction along a track overlying the textile machine, sensing the presence of the housing at a location overlying an end portion of the textile machine and in response to such sensed presence rotating the housing relative to the textile machine about a vertical axis while swinging the tubes around the end of the textile machine to a position in aisle space to the other side of the textile machine, and then traveling the housing and tubes back along the track in a direction opposite to said first direction while directing the induced air currents to flow through the tubes.
 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the sensing and rotating proceed upon the housing moving to either of the two locations overlying the two end portions of the textile machine whereby the tubes swing successively around first one end and then the other end of the textile machine.
 10. A method according to claim 8 wherein the sensing and rotating proceed upon the housing moving to one location overlying a predetermined end portion of the textile machine whereby the tubes swing around only the one predetermined end of the textile machine and in alternating directions on alternating passes back and forth along the textile machine.
 11. A traveling pneumatic cleaner for moving along a track extending over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and for removing lint and the like therefrom, the cleaner comprising air flow directing means mounted on the track for movement back and forth therealong and including a housing and tube means depending from said housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, said tube means being supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis overlying the machine, means operatively connected to said air flow directing means for inducing a flow of air through said housing and said tube means for pneumatic cleaning, and control means operatively connected to said air flow directing means for rotating said tube means about said axis when said housing approaches an end portion of the machine from one direction and for swinging said tube means around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the opposite side of the machine and for initiating movement of said air flow directing means in the opposite direction.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said housing is mounted for rotation relative to the track about said vertical axis and further wherein said control means comprises rotation driving means operatively connected to said housing for driving said housing in rotation about said vertical axis and thereby rotating and swinging said tube means.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said control means further comprises means for sensing the presence of said air flow directing means at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine, said sensing means being operatively connected with said rotation driving means for actuating said rotation driving means in response to the sensed presence of said air flow directing means at said at least one predetermined position.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said tube means comprises a pair of tubes depending from said housing in spaced apart relation and further wherein said air flow inducing means cooperates with said air flow directing means for impelling blowing air currents through one of said tubes for blowing pneumatic cleaning and for drawing suction air currents through the other of said tubes for suction pneumatic cleaning.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said air flow directing means further includes waste receptacle means operatively communicating with said other tube for receiving lint and the like drawn therethrough, said receptacle means being supported for counterbalancing said tube means and for locating the center of gravity of the traveling pneumatic cleaner in general vertical alignment with the track.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said air flow directing means further includes reversible tractor drive means for driving said air flow directing means in movement along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine, said housing and said tube means being mounted from said tractor drive means for movement therewith.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said tractor drive means is operatively connected with said control means for interruption of driving of said air flow directing means during the rotating and swinging of said tube means.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said tractor drive means is operatively connected with said control means for temporary deactivation of said tractor drive means while said air directing means is positioned at one of said end portion overlying locations, said control means reactivating said tractor drive means after swinging of said tube means from one aisle position to the other aisle position.
 19. A traveling pneumatic cleaner for traveling along a track extending over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and for cleaning the traversed textile machine with blowing and suction cleaning, the cleaner comprising: carriage frame means for movement back and forth along the track between positions overlying the end portions of the traversed textile machine, blowing and suction housing means mounted on said carriage frame means for rotation relative thereto about a vertical axis, rotary air impeller means mounted in said housing means for inducing flow of air currents therethrough for blowing and suction cleaning, flexible blowing and suction tube means depending from said housing means and operatively communicating therewith for flow of blowing and suction air currents through said tube means, said tube means extending downwardly from said housing means at a location spaced from said vertical axis of rotation of said housing means at a distance such that said tube means is positioned in aisle space to one side of the traversed textile machine, and means for sensing the presence of the cleaner at one of said locations overlying an end portion of the traversed textile machine, for rotating said housing means about said vertical axis while the cleaner is iN said one position and thereby swinging said tube means around the end of the traversed textile machine to position said tube means in aisle space to the other side of the traversed textile machine, and for initiating movement of the cleaner back along the track toward the other of said end portion overlying locations.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said last named means comprises actuating cam means at one predetermined location overlying one end portion of the traversed textile machine and cam actuated means for cooperating with said cam means for swinging said tube means around only said one end portion of the traversed textile machine and in alternating directions on alternating passes back and forth along the textile machine.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said last named means comprises actuating cam means at two predetermined locations overlying the opposite end portions of the traversed textile machine and cam actuated means for cooperating with said cam means for swinging said tube means successively around first one end of the traversed textile machine and then the other. 